Our Mission

As the Canadian branch of the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists, ICJ Canada has been promoting the rule of law, human rights, and the independence of the judiciary in Canada and around the world since 1958. We provide legal expertise to ensure that developments in international law adhere to human rights principles, and that international standards are implemented domestically.

Focus Issues

We are currently focusing our efforts on developing projects in four main thematic areas that are garnering national and international attention: the federal judicial appointments process, business and access to justice, national security and civil liberties, and the rule of law in the post-2015 international development agenda.

Tarnopolsky Award

Walter S. Tarnopolsky was a renowned legal scholar, judge, and human rights advocate who was a pioneer in the development of human rights law and civil liberties in Canada. ICJ Canada is proud to award the prestigious Tarnopolsky prize annually to a resident of Canada who has made an outstanding contribution to human rights, domestically or internationally.